Suspect in Jones Killing Arraigned on Second-Degree Murder Charge

Steven Jones was shot dead after he stepped in to stop a fistfight, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office said in a press release issued Thursday, Sept. 5.

Jones’ alleged killer, Pablo Flores, Jr. of Charlestown, was arraigned Thursday in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and multiple counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Boston Police apprehended Flores yesterday in Dorchester. When they entered, the suspect allegedly ran down a back stairwell and hid in the basement. When located, he allegedly gave his name as “Andre Durant.” Police recognized Flores and placed him under arrest.

Granting a request by Assistant District Attorney Gretchen Lundgren, Clerk Magistrate Gary D. Wilson ordered Flores held without bail.

Lundgren said that Jones, 21, who was also a Charlestown resident, was walking with a friend on Monument Avenue just after 10 p.m. on May 7, 2013 when he saw Flores fighting with another man.

“The man the defendant was fighting was not only unarmed, but shorter and smaller than the defendant,” Lundgren said.

Jones and his friend stepped in to break the fight up. Neither of them was armed.

“While Mr. Jones and his friend tried to pull apart the defendant and the man he was fighting, the defendant pushed everyone off of him, stepped back, pulled a gun from his waist area, and fired multiple shots at close range,” Lundgren said.

Jones was struck in the chest and stomach, causing injuries that claimed his life. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Flores allegedly pointed the gun at Jones’ friend and a female bystander before fleeing on foot. Based on witness statements and additional evidence developed by Boston Police homicide detectives, Flores was identified as a suspect the next day and has been sought on a warrant charging him with murder.

“Steven Jones was the kind of young man everyone wants as a neighbor,” Conley said. “He was kind. He was concerned. He was a good friend. Dozens of people appeared in court today in a show of support for his memory. That says a lot about the number of people he touched in life.”

In the days that followed, Flores’ sister, Jelaine Flores, also of Charlestown, allegedly contacted two potential witnesses to the crime, threatening both with bodily harm. She allegedly threatened one during a phone call and the other in a Facebook message, allegedly calling that victim a “snitch.”

Both incidents were intended to derail the investigation into Jones’ homicide, prosecutors said, and both were reported to Boston Police, who arrested her on two counts of witness intimidation and one count of making annoying or harassing phone calls. She was held on $3,500 cash bail.

Pablo Flores is represented by attorney Jeffrey Karp. He is due back in court on Oct. 8.